Best Horse Racing Betting Sites & Apps
Horse racing betting is deeply ingrained Kiwi sporting culture – and, whether it’s the roars coming from the Ellerslie stands on Derby Day to the eerie silence that often falls across the country as the Melbourne Cup jumps – millions of New Zealanders enjoy a horse bet every now and then.
If you’re looking for horse betting NZ style, the single biggest edge you can give yourself is choosing a trusted, high‑value sportsbook. Today, we’re going to show you the best horse racing sites – and apps – for New Zealanders!
We’ll also be walking you through everything you need to know about horse racing betting – from odds, bet types, bonuses, and more!
Quick Picks: Top Horse Racing Betting Apps For 2025
| Rank | Site | NZ Racing Markets | Platforms | Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bet365 | Full TAB calendar + AUS & UK | Web/iOS/Android | Powerful “Racing Hub” with form, replays & price tracker |
| 2 | Betway | NZ, AUS, UK, IRE, SA | Web/iOS/Android | “Money‑Back 2nd” promos & in‑race cash‑out |
| 3 | 888sport | Global Group 1s + South Island meets | Web/iOS/Android | 20‑25 % Saturday odds boosts on feature races |
| 4 | Unibet | NZ thoroughbreds, harness & futures | Web/iOS/Android | Deepest ante‑post book & price‑drift guarantee |
Editor’s Note: All four brands above accept NZ residents aged 18+, support NZD deposits, and carry at least one Tier-1 license (UK, Malta, or similar.)
Why Trust Our Shortlist? What We Look For
Before rating any betting sites, we run each bookmaker through an in-depth audit, designed to weed-out the bad, and ensure DashTickets readers are only getting the best information.
Some of the metrics we look for when reviewing include:
- Horse Racing Odds NZ: We always look at the odds being offered; are fixed-odds prices consistently better than the tote? How do the odds stack-up against other bookmakers? We log SPs (starting prices) each week!)
- Market Depth: Every bookmaker offers Win/Place markets. We want to see more, which is why we check for markets like Each-Way, Quinella, Exacta, Trifecta, First Four and more!
- Bonuses and Promotions: We always ensure the top horse racing sites offer a wide variety of bonuses. We look for welcome bonuses, boosted odds, free bets, refund offers, and more – and always check the terms!
- Live Streaming & Data Tools: All of the horse betting NZ sites we recommend offer sectional times, speed maps, cash-out, and, where possible, HD live streaming!
- Mobile Apps: We know many Kiwis enjoy betting from their mobile devices – which is why all of our bookmaker reviews have detailed sections for looking at their mobile betting app (or mobile optimised website.)
- Licensing and Security: We only ever recommend bookmakers that hold a valid online gambling license. We also want to see rigid security, including HTTPS encryption and secure customer data storage.
These are some of the metrics we look at when reviewing the best horse racing betting sites in NZ. We also look at things like customer support, responsible gambling facilities, and other online gambling products – like casino and bingo products.
Our Picks: Top Horse Racing Betting Sites in New Zealand
Here at DashTickets, our team of expert online betting reviewers spend tens of hours every week reviewing horse racing betting sites for Kiwis. Below, you can find our four most recommended betting sites – all hand-picked and tested by our team.
#1. Bet365
Bet365 is, without a doubt, the largest name in not just horse racing betting – but also sports betting in general. If you’re looking to place the best horse racing bets, and want the best odds, the largest market coverage, and one of the best mobile apps out there – you simply can’t go wrong with Bet365.
Log in every Saturday, for example, and you’ll find every Ellerslie and Riccarton race priced hours ahead of jump, with real‑time fluctuations tracked on a visible price graph! I love this, when I’m betting there, for example, as it lets me track my bets well ahead of schedule!
The site’s iconic Racing Hub is ideal for bettors wanting to study form, and you can enjoy sortable speed maps, jockey/trainer strike‑rates, and even instant replays! Bet365 offers HD live streams at no extra charge – and you’ve got one of the largest selections of horse racing betting markets in the world at your fingertips!
Key highlights:
- 24/7 customer support, with NZD banking via POLi, Visa, Mastercard, Skrill & PayPal.
- Racing Hub shows barrier stats, track bias and late‑money indicators.
- Cash‑out on selected fixed‑odds bets pre‑race and in‑running (where offered).
- Same‑wallet multis across racing + rugby, league, cricket and more.
#2. Betway
Betway is another major name in the online betting world – and if you’re the type of player looking for great bonuses and promotions, their Money-Back 2nd offer is hard to beat. Simply bet on a horse race in New Zealand or Australia, back the winner – and if your horse comes second, Betway refunds your stake as a bonus bet!
Aside from great bonuses and promotions, Betway does a solid job when it comes to odds – often coming in slightly above tote. They have some great betting tools, including an in-play tracker that shows live positions, and bet-slip builders.
Note: I’ve bet with Betway for many years; I love their online casino section, too. They also have a poker section, and some great bonuses and promotions, so it really is a personal favourite of mine!
Key highlights:
- Daily Money‑Back 2nd on a featured NZ or AUS race.
- Odds Boost tokens every Saturday for Group or Listed events.
- Intuitive mobile bet‑builder lets you combine two racing legs into one slip.
- Licensed by UKGC & MGA; NZ-specific customer support available.
#3. 888sport
888sport is another major name in the online betting world, and they’re popular with “value hunters”, thanks to their generous Saturday Boosts. If you’re betting on Group 1 favourites in New Zealand, Australia, or the UK, you can often enjoy 20-25% enhancements at the weekend – which offers solid value!
Their website isn’t quite as intuitive as bet365’s or Betway’s – and their (weak) video rights mean you’re (generally) limited to radio commentary for most domestic races – but their huge range of markets, state-of-the-art betting apps, and great other casino products (casino and poker) make them a solid option for punters who know what they want.
Key highlights:
- Saturday “Super‑Boost” offers enhanced odds on marquee races.
- Free‑Bet Club allows you to earn a NZ$10 free bet each week.
- Clean interface, great mobile app, and ultra-fast bet-settlement times.
- Supports POLi, Neteller, Skrill and major debit/credit cards.
#4. Unibet
Last but not least is Unibet – yet another powerhouse in the online betting and horse racing world. Unibet is particularly well known for its ante‑post markets. Want a price on next year’s NZ Derby nine months away? You’ll find it – often with each‑way terms down to fourth!
Unibet also offers Price Drift Protection, so if your early fixed‑odds selection jumps at a higher SP, Unibet pays you out at the higher odds! They have some of the best live streaming coverage in the world, and a 12-run form guide that tracks pulls barrier, track conditions, and last-600m sprints – so they’re ideal for serious punters wanting tons of info to bet with.
Key highlights:
- Largest futures book in the market, from Derby to Melbourne Cup.
- Price Drift Protector tops up returns if SP is higher than fixed odds.
- Live streaming on UK, IRE, FRA, HK & major AUS races.
How to Bet on Horses NZ
If you’re new to horse racing betting, you may be wondering how to actually bet on horses! Simply follow the steps below to get started:
- Pick Your Site: Sign up with one (or more) of the sportsbooks above – all of which have been tested and hand-picked by our team of online betting experts.
- Deposit: Once you’ve joined a sportsbook, you’ll need to make a deposit; POLi is instant, fee-free, and ideal for Kiwis. Most bookmakers accept Credit and Debit Cards and EWallets, too.
- Compare Horse Racing Odds NZ: Check fixed prices across multiple apps; consider tote overlays on long shots.
- Select Bet Type: Decide whether to place a Win, Place, or Each‑Way bet. Consider more “exotic” bet types like Yankees and Trifectas once you have more experience.
- Watch the race: Stream live if you’re using Bet365 or Unibet, or tune in via radio on 888sport.
Horse Racing Bet Types
You’ll find a lot of different types of horse racing bet types – and below, we’re going to show you the most common ones, a brief description of each bet – and a fictional example.
| Bet Type | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Win | Your horse must finish 1st. | $10 @ 3.50 returns $35. |
| Place | Your horse must “place” – first, second, or sometimes third/fourth. | $10 @ 1.80 returns $18. |
| Each-Way | Two bets: Win + Place. | $10 EW @ 10/1; horse runs 2nd → place portion pays |
| Quinella | Pick the winner and runner-up – in any order. | 3‑5 quinella hits at $12 dividend. |
| Exacta | Pick the winner and runner-up in the correct order. | 5‑3 exacta pays $40. |
| Trifecta | 1-2-3 correct order. | Boxed trifecta on 3‑5‑8. |
| First Four | 1-2-3-4 correct order. | Combo first‑four 2‑3‑5‑7. |
| Futures | A bet that’s placed weeks or months in advance. | Back Derby favourite @ 8.00 in October. |
Horse Racing Betting Promotions and Bonuses
One of the biggest benefits to betting online is the fact that many bookmakers and mobile betting apps offer promotions, and odds bonuses. Here’s a look at some of the most common:
- Odds Boost: Bookmakers enhanced the fixed price on selected runners.
- Money-Back 2nd: Your stake is refunded (as a bonus bet) if your horse finishes in second place.
- Free Bet Club: If you meet the weekly wager requirements, you’ll receive a free bet to place – usually at the weekend.
- Price Drift Protector: Also known as Best Odds Guaranteed, your bet is paid at higher odds if the odds are lower at the start of the race compared to when you took them.
New Zealand’s Major Racing Calendar
New Zealand has some excellent horse racing events each year. One of the most popular is the New Zealand Derby, Ellerslie. It’s a 2,400m classic for three-year-olds, and it’s run in March.
Another notable event is the Auckland Cup, also in Ellerslie. It’s a harsh 3,200m two-miler, and it takes place in late March or early April. Another, is the Livamol Classic – which takes place in Hastings. This 2,040m weight-for-age race is run in October.
The Wellington Cup is run in Trentham, in January, and finally, the Melbourne Cup; while actually an Australian race, it’s known for “stopping two nations” – and it takes place on the first Tuesday in November.
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